Coast Guard Academy cadet accused of sex abuse

Feb. 5, 2014 - 10:49AM
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NEW LONDON, CONN. — The U.S. Coast Guard Academy is investigating allegations that a cadet broke into a dorm room and sexually abused another cadet last September.

The academy in New London declined to identify the gender of either cadet or name the suspect.

The Day of New London reports that a military attorney will investigate whether there is enough evidence to warrant a court-martial. The only cadet ever court-martialed at the academy, Webster Smith, was tried in 2006 and convicted on extortion, sodomy and indecent assault charges.

The cadet involved in the September case was charged Monday with violating articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice that prohibit abusive sexual contact, housebreaking and unlawful entry.

Capt. Eric Jones, the academy's assistant superintendent, told the newspaper the suspect will work off campus at another Coast Guard unit while the process moves forward. He declined to provide more details about the allegations.

"I ask everyone to be patient and not to engage in supposition and rumors," he said. "As soon as it gets to the point where it's appropriate to release information directly to the public about the case, we'll be ready to do that."

The investigating officer could recommend that the case be dismissed, dealt with administratively or referred for trial by court-martial. The decision of how to proceed will ultimately go to Rear Adm. Sandra L. Stosz, the academy superintendent, in her role as convening authority.